Like previously mentioned, this week has been crazy. Our P-Day last week was changed to Wednesday, because of the holidays, so we actually got to go into the Palace of Versailles for my first time (it's always closed on Mondays). We also got to skip the huge line and got in for free, because of our legality cards #score. We met up with the Russian man (Alexander) there, so that we could teach him afterwards. It was definitely not my favorite experience, but we did get a free photoshoot with his nice camera out of it, so that's a perk! What a beautiful place Versailles is. Everyone needs to come and see this palace and its gardens; it's incredible! After that we had a FHE with a member family in the ward. The mom wanted us to re-activate her 17 year old son, so we went over to teach all of them. Let's just say that it didn't go over too well with him, because the mom didn't tell him beforehand that we were coming over and so he felt ambushed. Very awkward experience that was.
The next day we had our last district council for the transfer and took pictures. Look out for that in the weekly album. That night we had dinner with a family (I seriously love this ward) and later did some of my own detective work to find the thief who robbed our apartment. Sometimes when law enforcement doesn't take action, you have to take matters into your own hands, ya feel? I found him, of course, on Marketplace, selling the exact things he stole. So dumb lol. I eventually called him out on it and he blocked me. Still haven't taken it to the police and don't really know what to do with that information now. Oh well, at least it gives me comfort knowing who it was and being able to put a name the person.
Friday was officially my 500th day as a missionary. It started with us street finding, just to have my nose start gushing blood in a park. There was nothing to clean it up with but leaves from the trees. Sorry for the disturbing visuals, but it was not fun. I looked like I had just got beaten up haha. There is still blood all over the flowerbed curbing in that park and I'm currently debating whether or not to add those photos to my weekly album. Later, however, we did two temple lessons back-to-back. One with Alexander, and that went really well... And then one with Sylvie and her daughter, Amandine, from my first area, Epinal. I had been trying ever since I moved to Versailles to get them to come down to see me and see the temple and they finally surprised me with a week-end visit! Sylvie (the mom), of course, gave me a hug in front of everyone (which the temple Sisters were shocked by), but it was nice reuniting with them again. Alexander was still there, so he took photos of us with his nice camera, after which we gave them a temple tour. They had just driven over 4 hours to get there, so an official tour was necessary. It went so well and afterward Sylvie and her daughter took us out to eat at a place called, "Ellis Buger," which was really good. While there, they showered my companion and I in tons of late Christmas gifts. I feel so blessed to have knocked on her door a year ago, I never knew then just how much I'd love her and her family. They are awesome!
On Saturday we taught a new investigator at the church, before the baptism of little Louis Bamy, Bishop Causse's grandson. I love their family and I had been waiting all week for the baptism, especially now that Sylvie and her daughter were here and would get to see it. Alexander from Russia came as well haha. It was an excellent baptism filled with the spirit of Christ and family love. The food afterward was no disappointment either, might I add haha. We finished the night by eating a Raclette dinner with a member family. I seriously love this ward!
The next day was interesting. Both good and bad. Sylvie and her daughter accidentally slept in and didn't come to church, which was a bummer because I was giving the sacrament talk and really wanted them to hear it. Alexander was there, however, and video recorded my talk haha. Oh boy!! It went well, thankfully, even though my nerves were at an all time high for having to speak in front of not only a huge ward, but Bishop Causse and his family in French. Then we met with Sylvie and Amandine for a lesson. Alexander (the Russian) just happened to walk by us, which was creepy, but you bet we took full advantage of the situation and had him take good pics of us haha. I'll put all of these photos in the album. It was hard to say goodbye to Sylvie and her daughter for a second time, but I'll see them again eventually. Then we went to a member's house for dinner and board games. We played Clue and had an amazing Sunday dinner. During this, I got a call from President asking me to be a District Leader for this upcoming transfer. This gave me comfort, because I believed that I was taking my companion's spot in the district and staying in Versailles with the ward and investigators that I love. Sadly, however, this was not the case.
The next morning we woke up to the transfer plans. I was to be sent to a village in Brittany, a beautiful coastal region of France, called Saint Brieuc. It was a bit of a surprise, especially because I wasn't in Versailles for long at all. I was a little upset at first if I'm being honest, for I didn't want to leave Versailles. That night, however, was the ward New Years party at the church, so it was the perfect opportunity for me to say my goodbyes to everyone. What a sad New Years eve it was. The Ward was shocked that I was leaving as well and we all got pictures, some of which will be in my weekly album. I'm going to miss them all dearly!
Tuesday I realized that this really was the worst transfer to get sent somewhere new. January 1st was a national holiday, so all of the post offices were closed, preventing me from being able to send anything home. A lot of stuff is received after the holidays, so I had no clue how I was going to take everything with me to my new area. I eventually came up with a solution, but it was definitely frustrating to have that happen too. Then we went to the mission office to take the brand new missionaries out on their first experience finding. I love doing this and it was a great way to get my mind off of things. The missionaries I was with were great. I'll put our selfie together in my album. After that we had another rendez-vous with an investigator and then we went over to our neighbor's apartment across the hall, who invited us over to eat upon hearing that I was leaving. They were so nice and it was a great experience to get to know them. Towards the end, the mom said, "Connor, we have something here that my husband says looks like you," and proceeds to pull out her daughter's Ken doll. LOL! I swear every French person says this to me. Anyway, I got a picture with them and the Ken doll and I'll definitely be putting that in my album. After them it was packing until 1AM. Oh the joy.
Wednesday was moving day. It was hard and tiring, but after meeting my companion and hearing great things from the locals I was excited. The train was long, I'm further from Paris than I have ever been my whole mission, so that's definitely going to take some adjusting. The people I've met so far are all really nice, so that's exciting. I really am excited for what's to come and can't wait to meet the members here. It was hard leaving Versailles, but I'm looking up!
Thanks for all of your love and support. It was really needed this past week and has helped me keep a positive attitude of everything.
I want to share with you all a bit of my sacrament talk this past week. I talked about how we are all a part of the same family, God's family, and because of this we need to serve others and be here for one another. That's exactly what you all have done for me and I'm so grateful for that!
Love you all!
Elder Connor Anderson
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